The No Makeup-Makeup Redux

Credit: Into The Gloss

The No Makeup-Makeup Redux

Credit: Into The Gloss

The No Makeup-Makeup Redux

Credit: Into The Gloss

Look Good In The Nude.

You’ve heard it before, you’ll hear it again: The overwhelming beauty trend from New York Fashion Week this season was a natural look. Glowing skin with a bit of a highlight, brushed up brows, everyone’s own version of nude… And honestly, it always look really, really nice. Maybe not creatively inspiring, but Fashion Month is four weeks long—every city’s got to have its own wheelhouse. New York’s seems to be wearability.

But Estonian model Tiiu Kuik (pronounced TEE-you) has got a knack for the not-so-normal. Her favorite makeup artist is Kabuki—he of the Jeremy Scott shows. It’s an elevated taste picked up over something like 30 seasons in the industry (Tiiu’s 28, been modeling since she was 13, and says she feels like 100 years old in model years). She’s certainly got the wisdom to go with it: “Fashion’s new favorite word is relatable,” she says, compared to when she started back in 2001. “It was definitely different back then, in a good way and in a bad way. There was a lot of hair, a lot of nails… I had to get acrylics for every show.”

Not to go against our inherent New York-ness, the look we did with Tiiu is natural with a bit of a wink. The foundation is standard (eyeliner, blush, gloss), but the colors are refreshed. Her waterlines are taken care of my Mr. Tom Ford—his High Definition Eyeliner in Burnished Gold on the top for some lightness, and Ebony on the bottom to define the eye shape. The consistency of the liner is creamy, but gritty enough not to move around too much if you like to tightline.

On her cheeks is Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure. If you’re new to blushes, bronzers, highlighters, or any sort of powders in general, splurge on the Ambient Lighting collection. It’s like walking everywhere with a big candle illuminating your face. Purple, with a hint of bronze-y taupe, is actually quite neutral (and a nice choice for someone as cool-toned as Tiiu), but you get the adrenaline rush of “Oh Lord I’m using purple blush,” It’s a nice feeling.

And because the office (Tom in particular) is still on the People Don’t Wear Enough Lipgloss Bandwagon, consider this a whole-hearted plug for Troy Surratt’s version, called Lip Lustre in Étoile. It’s lightweight and clear, with a whole bunch of suspended glitter for a little party-party wherever you apply it. Tiiu is wearing it on her lips and lids. No, it’s not quite reinventing the makeup application wheel—but not everything needs to break the mould. Sometimes a little purple blush and golden gloss will do.